How to Catch All the Pokémon in a Pokémon Video Game

Last Updated: June 1, 2021 References

For every new generation of the game, two or more versions are released at the same time. The idea behind this is that not all Pokémon can be caught in one version, making it a challenge to achieve the game’s catch phrase “Catch ‘em all!” If are a true collector and you cannot bear having an incomplete Pokédex, with a little patience and some strategy, you can become an ultimate collector.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Catching Pokémon

1
Determine your target. Knowing what kind of Pokémon you are trying to catch will help you determine what items to bring along, which Pokémon you want on your team, and what kind of strategy to use.
2
Select your Pokémon. Low health targets might require you to bring a lower level team. For powerful or legendary targets, you might need to bring along your most powerful Pokémon.
- In normal game play, it's effective to use strong types against weak types, like a fire type against a grass type. Since you can't catch a Pokémon if it faints, you might want to choose a Pokémon the same type as your target.
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3
Get equipped. No collector can call himself a master if he doesn’t have the right tools for the job! Master Pokémon hunters like yourself will need the right pokéball to catch your prey.^{[1]
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Research source} These can be found at the Pokémart or Pokémon Center. Each new version of the Pokémon game adds new features, but the main Pokéballs you should be familiar with are:
- Standard Pokéball
- Great Ball
- Ultra Ball
- Master Ball
- Safari Ball
4
Capture Pokémon through random encounters. The most common way of acquiring new Pokémon is through randomly generated battles that occur when moving your character through certain areas. The most common places to randomly encounter a Pokémon are:^{[2]
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- Tall grass
- Water (using the Surf ability)
- Caves
- Fishing
5
Weaken your target. A random encounter will pit your team of Pokémon against a wild one. Wild Pokémon are more resistant to capture when at full health, you should weaken your prey before attempting to throw a pokéball.
- If your target still refuses to be caught, try a status effect, like sleep or paralysis, to improve your chances.
6
Be persistent. Some ultra-rare Pokémon can take hours of random encounters before you finally find the one you’re looking for.
- This activity, sometimes called “grinding,” might be more enjoyable for you listening to your favorite music, an audio book, or a movie.
7
Name your new Pokémon. Don’t forget to check out the new entry in your pokédex and see what you can learn about your new friend.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Evolving Your Pokémon

1
Catch lower level forms. These are frequently more common and you can train them to gain experience (XP) and level up. Many Pokémon evolve after reaching a certain level, which means you may not need to catch a high-level form.
- Your pokédex will still register the previous evolution as "caught."
2
Increase your Pokémon’s level. Some Pokémon, usually the high-level ones, can only be obtained through evolution. Pokémon like Charizard and Blastoise are extremely rare in the wild.
- To increase the level of a Pokémon, battle other trainers or wild Pokémon. Winning battles lets your Pokémon gain experience points (XP), which raises its level.
3
Find, buy, or win evolution stones. Some Pokémon will not evolve by simply raising its level. Pokémon like Pikachu and Clefairy will only grow if you use evolution-inducing items called “Evolution Stones” on them.^{[3]
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- Choose the Pokémon you use the stone on wisely – some evolution stones can be expensive.
- These kinds of items are available throughout the game and most can be acquired through completing the game’s storyline.
4
Use evolution stones. Select the item from your inventory. You’ll be asked to choose which Pokémon you want to use the stones on. After you pick the Pokémon, the evolution process will begin, changing your Pokémon into its adult form.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Trading Pokémon with Other Versions of the Game

1
Catch Pokémon specific to your version of the game. This will help later when you want to trade with friends. Depending on your version, there will be unique Pokémon unavailable in the counterpart to your version.
- It can also be helpful to catch two rare Pokémon, keeping one for yourself and saving the other later for trade.
2
Look for a person playing a different Pokémon game version. If you know someone playing a different version of the Pokémon, talk to that person and make arrangements for trading.
- For example, if you’re playing the Pokémon Black version, look for someone playing the other version of the game, which is Pokémon White.
3
Seek out trainers who have already beaten the game. Completing the game opens full access to the Pokémon in their version.
4
Trade Pokémon with the other player. Link the two devices either using a link cable (for Game Boy) or through Wi-Fi connections (for DS/3DS consoles). While inside the game, head to a Pokémon Center and begin the trading sequence.^{[4]
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- Avid collectors sometimes collect two of every kind of Pokémon to do a full swap with another player. Doing this will allow you to own all the Pokémon available for that version of the game.
- If you can’t find anyone to trade with, get another version of the Pokémon game and complete it on another Nintendo portable game console (Game Boy, DS, 3DS).

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Other Ways to Catch Them All

1
Beat the Pokémon League. On your way to beating the League, you'll encounter the Pokémon in the game that you can add to your ranks. Battles will also raise the level of your team, adding Pokémon to your collection through evolution.
2
Breed new Pokémon. This is especially useful if your friend doesn’t want to give away a Pokémon specific to their version. By breeding it, you both can add to your pokédex.
3
Exchange and return ultra-rare Pokémon . Note that some ultra-rare Pokémon are only found once a game and are impossible to breed. If your friend won't give up that kind of Pokémon, a brief trade will still work. If you return your friend's Pokémon, your pokédex will register the traded Pokémon as “caught.”
4
Learn which events you can go to catch certain Pokémon. Gotta Catch ‘em All Events are opportunities where you have better odds of adding certain rare Pokémon to your collection. A guidebook can be helpful, though many of the events are listed online.
- Some online stores let you buy the tickets for the Pokémon (like eBay for example).
- Examples of Pokémon you can get in events are Togepi, Eevee, Lapras, and Fossil Pokémon.^{[5]
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5
Explore the game thoroughly. Don't forget that some Pokémon might not be found in your version. But don't give up hope. Some Pokémon can only be found in areas still waiting for you to explore.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I catch Mewtwo in Pokemon?

ParaN0ID

Community Answer

It depends. If you are talking about FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, or Soulsilver, find him in Cerulean Cave. If you are talking about X and Y, he is available in Unknown Dungeon.
Question

How do I catch Volcanion in Pokemon XY legitimately?

Bun bun

Top Answerer

Volcanion is only available legimately via events.
Question

How do I catch Dunspars in Pokemon Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald?

Community Answer

You can't get Dunspars in Pokemon Sapphire, Ruby or Emerald. You can only get it in Gold, Silver, Crystal Heart, Gold Soul Silver or X and Y.